God's Commands on

Authority

See also related commands under
Leadership

There are a number of commands in the New Testament on
authority. Each command is listed in Bold. The verses
following each command are related verses or cross-references
that help us understand what the command means. The Bible is the
best commentary on itself and helps us to understand the command
from God’s perspective. Ask God to give you understanding
and meditate on each verse.

Note: The lists of cross references are not necessarily
exhaustive. They are intended to be used as a tool to help you
dig into the meat of God’s commands.

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said,
Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over
them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be
chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:25-26 And he said unto them, The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise
authority upon them are called benefactors. (26) But ye shall not
be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the
younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Proverbs 25:6-7 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the
king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is
that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou
shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine
eyes have seen.

Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this
child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me
receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all,
the same shall be great.

Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was encumbered about much serving,
and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my
sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she
help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha,
thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing
is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not
be taken away from her.

Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit
not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou
be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to
thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the
lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the
lowest room; that when he bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee,
Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the
presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

John 13:12-17 So after he had washed their feet, and had
taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them,
Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord:
and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master,
have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have
done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than
he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye
do them.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what
is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 2:6-7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men:

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am
also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and
also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the
flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a
ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but
being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away.

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who
loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher
powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to
good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the
power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the
sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore [ye]
must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.

1Samuel 24:6 " And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that
I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to
stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of
the LORD."

Proverbs 8:15 "By me kings reign, and princes decree
justice." 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges
of the earth."

Jeremiah 27:5 "I have made the earth, the man and the beast
that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my
outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto
me. 6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of
the field have I given him also to serve him. 7 And all nations
shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very
time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings
shall serve themselves of him. 8 And it shall come to pass, that
the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their
neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I
punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and
with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his
hand."

Daniel 2:21 "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he
removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the
wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

Daniel 4:32 "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy
dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make
thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee,
until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,
and giveth it to whomsoever he will."

Daniel 5:18 O thou king, the most high God gave
Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and
honor: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people,
nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he
would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would
he set up; and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart
was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed
from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And
he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like
the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed
him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of
heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom
of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. 22 And
thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though
thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the
Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house
before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy
concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the
gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which
see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath
is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:"

John 19:11 Jesus answered,'' Thou couldest have no power at
all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore
he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. ''

Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your]
masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in
singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice,
as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of
God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men:

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters
according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but
in singleness of heart, fearing God:

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke
count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God
and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have
believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are
brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful
and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and
exhort.

Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering
again; 10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that
they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all
fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God
endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if,
when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?
but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently,
this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that
ye should follow his steps:

1John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be
made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in
authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.

Ezra 6:6-10 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river,
Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are
beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 7 Let the work of this
house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders
of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 8 Moreover I
make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for
the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even
of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto
these men, that they be not hindered. 9 And that which they have
need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt
offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil,
according to the appointment of the priests which are at
Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: 10 That
they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven,
and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Ezra 7:21-23 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a
decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that
whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of
heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, 22 Unto a
hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat,
and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil,
and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatsoever is commanded
by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of
the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the
realm of the king and his sons?

Psalms 72:1-4 A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy
judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He
shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with
judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and
the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of
the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall
break in pieces the oppressor.

Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have
caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD
for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities
and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle,
shewing all meekness unto all men.

Deuteronomy 17:12 "And the man that will do presumptuously,
and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister
there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man
shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel."

Proverbs24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and
meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their
calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them
both?

Ecclesiastes 8:2 I counsel thee to keep the king's
commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.3 Be not hasty
to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth
whatsoever pleaseth him.4 Where the word of a king is, there is
power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth
the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart
discerneth both time and judgment.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against
thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great
offenses."

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you,
who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,
considering the end of [their] conversation.

I Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers
of me

I Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am
of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and
mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the
Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of
the Holy Ghost:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God
without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which
ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it
is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in
you that believe."

1 Thessalonians 5:12 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know
them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and
admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

2 Thessalonians 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to
follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8
Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with
labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable
to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make
ourselves an example unto you to follow us.

1Timothy 3:5 " (For if a man know not how to rule his own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"

Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them
who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with
grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us: for we
trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live
honestly.

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offense toward God, and toward
men.

Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus
Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive
together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that
utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would
open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:

1Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the
word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified,
even as itis with you:

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted
worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and
doctrine.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the
elder. Yea, all ofyou be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and
giveth grace to the humble.

Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you,
and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Matthew 5:47 "And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye
more than others? do not even the publicans so?"

Matthew 10:12 "And when ye come into a house, salute
it."

Romans 16:16 "Salute one another with a holy kiss. The
churches of Christ salute you."

Romans 16:21 Timothy my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason,
and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote
this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host,
and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of
the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

Philippians 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that
are of Caesar's household.

2 Corinthians 13:12 "Greet one another with a holy kiss.13
All the saints salute you."

1 Thessalonians 5:26 "Greet all the brethren with a holy
kiss."

1 Peter 5:14 "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man
for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or
unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using
your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of
God. 17 Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour
the king.

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto
them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's;
and unto God the things that are God's. Mark 12:17 And Jesus
answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled
at him. Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which be Caesar's and unto God the things which
be God's

Acts 4:19 "But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God, judge ye."

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the
fear of God.

2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in
the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are
they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of
dignities

Jude 1:8-12 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the
flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet
Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing
accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak
evil of those things which they know not: but what they know
naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt
themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of
Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and
perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are spots in your
feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves
without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of
winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots;

1Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I
should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to
stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of
the LORD.

Job 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to
princes, Ye are ungodly?

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought;
and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air
shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the
matter.

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto
them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's;
and unto God the things that are God's.

Acts 23:3-5 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee,
thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and
commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4 And they that
stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? 5 Then said Paul,
I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is
written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy
people.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves.

The practical application of the Bible, the real meat, for us as Christians is Christ’s Commands. Learn how to carry out the second half of the Great Commission - ’Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’

In the fall of 2007, Willow Creek church released the results of
their three million dollar research into the effectiveness of
their church program and 30 other churches. They were shocked to
find that they were not bringing people to spiritual maturity.
What they thought would produce spiritual maturity was not. They
believed that the more people participated in church programs the
greater spiritual maturity it would produce. They found that the
amount of involvement in church programs had no correlation with
the depth of someone’s spiritual maturity. What makes this
mistake so significant is that Willow Creek is a church that has
12,000 churches in their Willow Creek Association, and has taught
thousands of pastors how to “do church” to produce
church growth. To some degree, Willow Creek Church has influenced
how most churches today “do church”. “And if
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
(Matthew 15:14)

What is the answer to helping people come to maturity in
Christ? Take another look at the Great Commission. The answer is
there. We have been focusing on the first part of the commission
– evangelism – and have overlooked the second half
thinking we know what it is saying. But look again at what Jesus
says in giving us the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,
I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.
Amen.” (Matthew 28:19) The missing key to spiritual
maturity is teaching others Christ’s commands in the New
Testament and teaching them to follow the commands. An excellent
subject for Bible study is to take each of Christ’s
commands and study them. There is a list of Christ’s commands on this website.

Discipleship, Spiritual Maturity, and Christ’s Commands

Jesus defines a disciple as one who follows His commands. A person who is spiritually mature is one who knows Christ’s teachings in the New Testament and who follows them with all his or her heart, soul, mind and strength. The following passages of Scripture over and over stress the importance of doing what Jesus says to do:

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

The practical application of the Bible, the real meat, for us as Christians is Christ’s Commands. Learn how to carry out the second half of the Great Commission - ’Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’

There are a lot of false teachings about the head covering, false teachings that have been passed from commentary to commentary, from professor to student, from pastor to lay person. We have heard them so often many believe them to be true, but research shows clearly that they are false.

The most significant subject facing the Church: The Bible and what has been removed, added and changed in modern translations in the name of scholarship. When two different translations say different things, which one is truth?

The most significant subject facing the Church: The Bible and what has been removed, added and changed in modern translations in the name of scholarship. When two different translations say different things, which one is truth?

Singing is a very essential part of our worship of God and needs to be a part of every house church. Our desire is to help you as best we can to make a beautiful, joyful sound in singing praises to our God. God loves singing, and loves to hear us sing praises to Him.

The songs that we sing and listen to permanently shape our understanding of who God is and what the Christian life is all about. Educators readily recognize that information in song form is easier to remember. Songs that children learn are remembered the rest of their lives.

The answer for the Spiritual education of our children in the home church. In the House church we have the freedom to look at what God’s design is for the spiritual education of the children and implement that rather than feeling like we have to make our home church a small replica of the conventional Sunday school.

The church has a lot of ’answers’ about divorce and remarriage, but still many people feel like they don’t have God’s answer. After doing the research for this report, I had to ask, ’Why didn’t we see this before?’

Millions of Christians in the last several years are totally rethinking what ’church’ is and are looking for a deeper relationship with Christ. Much of what defines what the conventional church is, how people are fed spiritually, and how money is spent by the church does not have a specific basis in Scripture.

There are a whole range of English Bible translations to choose from, and more keep coming out. Which Bible translation is the best one to study, meditate on, and use for our guide in faith and practice?